Italy Opens Doors To Remote Workers And Digital Nomads

Digital nomads will finally have a place in Italy.

The Italian government is introducing visas that allow foreigners to spend a year working in Italy.

The new visa scheme for remote workers was approved and signed into law on 28 March 2022.

This new permit is specifically designed for non-EU ‘nomadi digitali’, or those “who carry out highly qualified work activities through the use of technological tools that allow them to work remotely, autonomously or for a company that is not resident in the territory of the Italian state.”

As non-EU nationals can currently only spend a maximum of 90 days in Italy without a visa, it is hoped that the provision will make it easier for people to live out their Italian dreams long-term.

Who Can Qualify For Italy’s Digital Visa

The scheme will be open to those who are highly qualified in their field.

The new proposed visa scheme is aimed at highly qualified digital nomads or professionals who can work remotely. Who counts as a “highly qualified” worker is not yet clearly defined.

It also appears there will be no limit on the number of permits issued annually unlike other kinds of visas under Italy’s ‘decreto flussi’ (foreign workers’ quota).

Five Star Movement MP Luca Carabetta – an advocate of the digital nomad visa – has indicated that it will last one year in the first instance, and can be extended to close family members.

It also looks set to entail a minimum income requirement, though the amount is not yet known.

“Requirements for the remote worker are the availability of suitable accommodation, adequate income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record,”
Five Star Movement MP Luca Carabetta

It may take some time to get the full details as the Italian government is still working on a new bill to implement the law.

Current Work Visa Scheme For Freelancers and Entrepreneurs

For those who do not meet the minimum conditions set out by the new law, it is still possible to move to Italy as a freelancer or remote worker.

As we await further details for the new scheme, you can consider the following visa options which are currently available for long-term travel to Italy.

Italy’s Self-Employment Visa

This is the permit that most non-EU freelancers currently apply for when wanting to move to Italy. Only 500 of these visas are being allocated in 2022, as in previous years.

If successful, the self-employment visa is valid for an initial period of two years.

Italy’s Intra-Company Visa

The Intra-company (ICT) visa is specifically for workers of foreign companies to be temporarily transferred to an Italian entity affiliated to, or part of the same group of companies with the foreign company.

This visa lasts for five years, and there’s no limit to the amount the Italian government gives out.

The EU Blue Card

Introduced through the EU, this kind of visa might work for those employed by an Italian company. Again there’s no quota, but there are quite a few rules to follow.

The Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU nationals earning a minimum salary of €24,789.93, having completed a three-year university degree.

If approved, the card should facilitate easier travel around the EU.

None of these routes are straightforward for those wanting to be ‘digitali nomadi’, so it's no wonder people are eagerly waiting for more information on the new permit.

Do you have plans to move to Italy? Talk to us in the comments section below.

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